Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace as FC Barcelona got their first LaLiga win with a 4-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad on Sunday night.
Result: Real Sociedad 1-4 Barcelona
Date: 21 August 2022
Venue: Reale Arena
Xavi Hernandez rang the changes after last week's stalemate against Rayo Vallecano, as Frenkie de Jong, Ousmane Dembele and Alejandro Balede came in for the suspended Sergio Busquets, Raphinha and Jordi Alba.
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Lewandowski opened his account for the campaign as the young Balde led a counter down the left flank before picking out the Polish striker, who scored with a first-time finish.
Sociedad weren't behind for too long as De Jong lost possession to David Silva, whose pass sent Aleksander Isak through on goal and the Swedish striker fired over Marc-Andre Ter Stegen with the help of a deflection.
The home side went close to bagging a second goal in the 27th minute when Ter Stegen could only parry Mikel Merino's shot as far as Takefusa Kubo, who drilled his effort just wide of the mark.
Ter Stegen came to Barca's rescue once again before the break, with the German shot-stopper producing a superb save down to his left to keep out Silva's first-time effort at the near post.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead eight minutes after the break when Silva's free-kick appeared evade everyone and sail into the far corner, but the linesman raised his flag as Aihen Munoz was deemed to have interfered with play while in an offside position.
With Barcelona struggling to break down Sociedad, Xavi responded with a double change just after the hour mark as Raphinha and Ansu Fati replaced Ferran Torres and Bale.
Fati's arrival brought on the second goal for the Catalans as his first-time flick played in Ousmane Dembele, who rifled a low strike into the far corner on 66 minutes.
Barcelona quickly grabbed a third goal as Fati turned provider once again with a ball into Lewandowski, who made no mistake from six yards to complete his brace.
Fati got his name on the scoresheet with 12 minutes left on the clock. Lewandowski returned the favour by playing in the Spaniard who showed the composure to slot past Alex Remiro.
